Opinion is quite markedly divided on the matter of whether children should be given pit bikes to ride. There are of course some safety considerations to be taken into account, and a debate on the noise levels of the bikes too. As long as you make some sensible decisions, though, there is plenty that you can do to make a pit bike a really good gift for your child – and give them some important lessons early on in how to safely control a motorized vehicle. The example you provide can be invaluable to them.

The first and most important consideration when buying a pit bike is to ensure that you get one which is of a responsible amount of power. No doubt your kids will want to be keeping up with all of the others, but if they have never ridden a pit bike before then it is essential, whatever their age, that you do not stray over 110cc. Ideally, if there is any grey area over a child’s readiness to ride a pit bike, 50cc would be a better starting point. These bikes are cheaper than the more powerful ones, and will enable your child to learn safely.
Protective gear is another essential for any child riding a pit bike. The fact of the matter is that even if they come off their bike they won’t be going terribly fast, but falling off at any speed can be unpleasant. Getting the right safety gear – a helmet, pads for the knees, shoulders and elbows, and a good pair of gloves – will raise the level of safety for any young rider. Supervised riding is also a necessity early on. If you have an adult pit bike of your own, that’s great. You can ride around close to your child and show them the basics – or you can just watch them closely, making sure that they are careful and safe.